Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-11-23

the rear Of his place Of business. As
no neared the store a coarse laugh
fell upon his ears. He stopped and
listened, but could hear nothing more.
AS he was about to 60 on his eye
caught small ray of light coming
from Towards window. The shutters
were closed, but this light found its
way through a small crcvicc at the
top. Mr. Jones stepped softly to the
window and listened. He could hear low
voices within, showing plainly that his
clerk was not alone Making use of
box near by he then climbed up so that
his eye was close to the crack at the
top Of the shutter. What he saw
within surprised him beyond measure.
There sat Howard Bent and Dick Bray
at the table. Each had cigar in his
mouth, and game of cards was in
progress. Mr. Jones could hardly be-
lieve that the scene before him was
real. Such breach of trust by boy
who Ind seemed so full of honor and
worthy of confidence! The plan which
he thought would add so much TO the
security of his property was being
-treacherously used to double its dan
ger. His surprise and perplexity were
giving way to anger He dropped to
the ground. took key from his pock-
ct, and the next moment stood before
the astonished couple.
This is tho way you keep faith with
your employers. is itp" said Mr.. Jones.
looking straight at his clerk without
noticing the presence of Dick Bray
Howard could not speak. His COM
panion had slipped out at the door and
fed.
1T seems you have nothing to say"
continued Mr.. Jones. and 1t is lust as
we'll. Words would be useless. Your
chosen companion Is probably skulk-
ing about the alley waiting for you.
You can join him as soon as you
please. Tomorrow wo will settle with
you, and will have no further use for
your services"
Howard passed out without word.
All the finer qualities of his nature
rose in judgment against him. His
conscience was unhardened and &C
tive. The distressed face which he
fastened to hide in the darkness bore
signs CT the deepest humiliation, shame
and regret.
In the stern, practical eyes of the
man Of business the boy had committed
an objectionable offense. He saw no
reason why human figures should not
act with the same mathematical pre-
cision as those on tho pages Of his
ledger. The success of his business
demanded such. and he had neither
use nor excuse for any other.
In simple justice to the boy and with
out word of excuse for tho wrong
committed, let 1t be said that he was
not as bad as the man suspected him
to be.
When he left tho store Howard went
directly to his home. He had no desire
to see Dick Bray. His thoughts were
with his mother now. He must take
to her the shameful ruins of her bright
hopes and plans. He must tell her tho
whole story of his folly and wicked
deceit. He felt that it would almost
kill her, but he had deceived her long
enough. she must know every thing
now.
IL was sad blow to Mrs. Bent as
she listened to the full confession from
her boys lips. Her grief in the disap-
pointment of her plans was great; but
it was the discovery of tho blemish in
her sons character that gave the KEEN
est pain.
The next day she saved him tho
modification of seeing Mr.. Jones by
calling on that gentleman herself Mr..
Jones met her very coolly and placed
the amount of her sons wages In her
hand. In answer to her inquiry he
assured her that nothing had been
missed from the store. and that he had
no suspicious that her son contem.
plated theft He added, however, that
the deceit practiced was nearly or
quite as bad rs stealing, and would
have undoubtedly led to that in the
companionship of such low characters
rs Dick Bray.
Poor Howard! He had learned somo-
thing of the evil tendencies of bad as.
sociates. The lesson was q hard one,
and would not be forgotten. Dicks
power over him was now broken, and |
he resolved to be free. He had smoked
his last cigar. He had had his last as
sociate whom he could not take before
his mother without fear of her disap-
prevail.
Bat how hard it was to regain what
he had lost. Every one was suspicious
of him. The story OF his discharge
was scattered over the village in a
sadly distorted shape. The other mer-
chants were unwilling to trust him. 1t
took long time to convince them that
the open, honest ways of the boy were
really genuine. and that no now pos
sesscd strength Of character.
Many hard battle was fought and
many disappointments endured. Four
long years were thus spent before
Bent stood in another position
as good rs the one he lost through the
influence of an evil companion. - West
e,p PloWmdn.